Attending SAI20 Summit, Vice President Expects Audit Institutions to Guide State Financial Management, Especially in Critical Situations During Crisis

Nusa Dua Bali, wapresri.go.id – As the host of the G20 presidency, Indonesia through the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) initiated the establishment of the Supreme Audit Institution 20 (SAI20 Summit) or the G20 State Audit Institute. The establishment of SAI20 was expected to be a legacy not only for Indonesia but also for the world to realize the role of SAI in overcoming various global challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, as well as accelerating the achievement of SDGs targets.

In this regard, Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin also appreciated the establishment of SAI20 and hoped that audit institutions, especially in G20 countries, could be a guide for the government in managing state finances, especially in critical situations during a crisis.

“SAI has a very important role as a guide for the government to maintain discipline in managing the state financial budget when facing various severe pressures and critical situations,” said the Vice President while attending the SAI20 High Level Conference (KTT) at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Hotel, Tourism Area. Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC), Lot N5, Nusa Dua, Bali, Monday (29/08/2022).

Furthermore, the Vice President also hoped that the presence of SAI20 would provide added value to the global community by building stronger governance and encouraging more effective collaboration between audit institutions and the government, as well as other stakeholders. Just as the Indonesian government needs BPK as a guard in going through an emergency that required alertness and flexibility while maintaining accountability and legality of state financial management.

“In the recovery process (from the crisis), the government also needs the support of audit institutions to ensure that central programs for national economic recovery can be implemented in the right direction, namely Reform of the Social Protection System, National Health System and Disaster Resilience System, as well as Industry, Tourism and Investment towards a Green Economy,” he explained.

Not only that, the Vice President said that the current crisis had amplified the risks to the achievement of the SDGs agenda by widening welfare disparities.

“As a strategic partner of the government, audit institutions also help ensure the shift in focus of budgets and resources to deal with the impact of the crisis so as not to cause the achievement of the Government’s major agendas, including the SDGs, to stagnate, let alone setbacks,” he said.

Furthermore, on this occasion, the Vice President reminded that currently the world was facing uncertainty and change on a large scale, difficulties in making accurate predictions, complex challenges due to various interrelated factors and the chain of consequences.

“Although not easy, these conditions have provided lessons for all parties, including SAI, and can be a momentum to improve comprehensively, build better and adaptive governance, and at the same time remain accountable and with integrity, so that they are more prepared in facing future threats and challenges,” he said.

Therefore, the Vice President hoped that the SAI20 Summit held at this time, firstly, conveyed an independent audit perspective in order to help the government formulate policies for sustainable economic recovery, achieve SDGs targets, and prepare for future crises.

“Secondly, SAI formulates a role in supporting the community, government and stakeholders in overcoming various global challenges, particularly related to the main issues of the G20 Presidency of Indonesia, namely strengthening the global health architecture, digital-based economic transformation, and green economic development, including a fair and equitable energy transition. affordable,” he said.

As for the third, the Vice President requested that the experience of the crisis in the past, which had noted the crucial role of auditors for state leaders in making decisions in difficult times, can be an important lesson in efforts to deal with the current crisis.

“Make the SAI20 Summit a bridge between the thoughts of foreign auditors who of course have different mandates and experiences in responding to crises so that they can provide a wealth of perspectives and ideas,” he pleaded.

Lastly, the Vice President hoped that the communique that would result from this summit could cover these three things, as well as increase SAI’s cooperation and capacity.

“This communique can later be used as a reference in preparing the declaration of the G20 Leaders in Bali in November 2022,” he concluded.
Previously, Head of BPK Isma Yatun as Chair of SAI20 Indonesia 2022 in his report said that SAI20 was only formed in the G20 Indonesia presidency and has now been designated as one of the G20 Engagement Groups. According to him, SAI20 was formed as a meeting place for audit institutions of G20 member countries to contribute to G20 Leaders in the areas of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

“We, who are the supreme audit institutions of the G20 countries, want to take part in the G20 through our role, especially with regard to transparency and accountability in public sector governance,” he explained.

Despite Indonesia’s leadership in the G20, continued Isma, during difficult times, especially due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it still aims to ensure that all countries could rise up in the face of various challenges and recover together and become stronger.

“The SAI20 communiqué aims to demonstrate a shared commitment to the relevance of SAI20 to the public, government, parliament and other stakeholders,” he said.

For information, through the spirit of “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” according to the theme of the G20 Indonesia Presidency, SAI20 carried two main priority issues, namely: Accelerating Economic Recovery (Accelerating Economic Recovery) and Supporting the Achievement of SDGs (Supporting the Achievement of SDGs). Currently, SAI20 membership consisted of 12 G20 countries, namely Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, and the Republic of Korea.

In addition to the Chairman of the BPK and his staff, present at the SAI20 Summit, Governor of Bali Wayan Koster, Leaders of SAI 20 and their Delegates, Ambassadors of Friendly Countries, and Representatives of International Organizations and International Institutions.

Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Economic Policy Support and Competitiveness Improvement Guntur Iman Nefianto, Special Staff for the Vice President for Bureaucratic Reform M. Nasir, Special Staff for the Vice President for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi, and the Expert Team of the Vice President Johan Tedja Surya and Farhat Brachma. (DMA/LHS, BPMI Setwapres)